Mayo Gaels : 2013 Homecoming Celebration….
As part of the 2013 ‘Gathering Ireland’ Initiative the Mayo Gaels Club held a very successful ‘Mayo Gaels Homecoming’ Celebration in Abbey Park on St. Stephen’s Day, Thursday the 26th
The ‘Homecoming Celebration’ was an open invitation for a gathering of all current and former Mayo Gaels players, their partners, family and friends and the organising Committee were delighted with the large and good humored crowd that turned up to Abbey Park.
Proceedings started with a game between a Mayo Gaels ‘home’ team and ‘exiles’ selection. The wet and windy conditions appeared to inspire the spirits of the estimated forty players who played in what was a surprisingly eagerly contested match.
Former Gaels stalwarts from the nineties (and eighties…) delighted the admiring crowd with some delicate touches and scores and everyone was satisfied when the game finished in an exciting draw.
The large turnout was treated to music, food and refreshments in the Clubhouse and Marquee and the evening proved to be a great opportunity for everyone to catch up with old acquaintances and to meet new members of the club.
Club Chairman John Gallagher thanked the ‘Homecoming’ Committee for their efforts in organising the day’s events. He stated saying that the ‘Homecoming’ was a celebration of the great contribution given by people, both home and away, to the club since it was founded in 1975. The Chairman added that since 1984 the club had played senior or intermediate championship football – this was a great achievement for a small rural parish and he wanted to acknowledge the great dedication and commitment shown by hundred’s of players from the community to the Gaels over the years.
With the Tom Markham (Minor All-Ireland) Cup on display a plaque was presented to Kevin Jordan, a member of this year’s victorious Mayo All-Ireland minor panel.
The Chairman stated that Mayo Gaels is a strong, vibrant club and that the club will continue to promote a love of Gaelic Games among the people of the parish – he concluded by reminding all present that Abbey Park would always remain open to anyone who wanted to get involved or to support the club.
The party continued well into the evening with everyone agreeing that the Homecoming Celebrations provided a fitting end to what was another great year for the Gaels.
Photos from the event are on www.mayogaels.com
